Charter operator RayaJet and Ayla Aviation Academy in Jordan have jointly ordered a Premier II as they team up to accelerate business development. The partners plan further expansion in the Middle East with Amman-based RayaJet also linking with Air Route Aviation Services to gain entry to the Saudi Arabian market.

RayaJet and Aqaba-headquartered Ayla Aviation will merge to offer charter, pilot training, business jet maintenance and ground handling.

Nader Dajani, RayaJet chairman, says the Premier II, due for delivery in 2011, will be used for charter and pilot training. The merged business plans to set up a maintenance hangar and put into operation a full-flight simulator by 2011. "We are conducting market studies and surveys to define the detailed scope of each service offered," Dajani adds.

Ayla's ceo Marwan Atallah says: "The alliance will enable Ayla to provide its instructor and cadets with growth opportunities and career progression. RayaJet will benefit by getting pilots that have been through Academy who will have the highest standards of safety and competency. The alliance will also enable the two companies to pool their resources and experiences to establish a general aviation service centre in Aqaba, where Ayla already has the facilities and the qualified staff. The two companies will provide the region with a number of services, based in Jordan, which is in line with the Civil Aviation Regulatory Commission's new vision of making Jordan an aviation hub. The total investment will amount to approximately $5 to $10 million dollars."

The merged company intends to compete with charter operators established in the Arab Gulf states of Dubai and Abu Dhabi for charter business in Saudi Arabia. "The Kingdom is the main market in the Middle East and this alliance will help us utilise our aircraft for executive chartering from there," Dajani says. "The addition of a Premier II to RayaJet will allow us to fulfil our vision of expanding and modernising our fleet and will enable us to combine both business and luxury travel and attract a wider clientele. By jointly placing the order for the aircraft both Ayla Aviation and RayaJet have taken one step further toward a full merger in 2009 after signing the strategic alliance in 2008."

The partners are in discussions with a number of aircraft manufacturers to review opportunities for possible further joint purchases of aircraft.

RayaJet has also launched SAMA, a new sister company for aircraft handling in Jordan. The company's Strop Avakian says the new organisation will cater to the special needs of vvips, vips, senior officials, representatives of international organisations, businessmen and families.